Can a SMB be used as a dive flag?

[jgoodstein]

So in order to finalize my safety devices I got a 6' SMB today with the Diver below written in reflective print, as well as a 4-6" Dive flag at the top in the same reflective material.

Is this enough for a diver down marker, or do I need to pick up an actual flag and bouy? In all honesty its large, clear and more visible to me from a boat then a 12" dive flag... but I don't make the rules.

What say you scubaboard? What say you Coast Guard?

 

[orm]

Around these parts tourists on jet-skis use the SMB to turn around on and do 'Sick Tricks' Man.

I would say anything with a clear indication that there are divers below will suffice. But I'm not a boat captain, so I don't know.

 

[danvolker]

So in order to finalize my safety devices I got a 6' SMB today with the Diver below written in reflective print, as well as a 4-6" Dive flag at the top in the same reflective material.

Is this enough for a diver down marker, or do I need to pick up an actual flag and bouy? In all honesty its large, clear and more visible to me from a boat then a 12" dive flag... but I don't make the rules.

What say you scubaboard? What say you Coast Guard?

If I am out on ANY dive charter boat in palm beach, my buddy group needs just a float flag ....the dive boat will chase off any moron boaters in the area of our flag.

If I was off a beach on a 30 foot reef or similar, and without a boat to ride shotgun, I could not trust a dive flag or float ball....this situation would call for towing a kayak with a tall flag on it....most moron boaters or jet skis will not run over a 12 to 19 foot kayak. I used to freedive the Breakers 60 foot reef from a 19 foot surf ski...very low towing drag, and good visibility for boaters...free divers using just flags get run over by moron boaters far too often.

P.s.
The coast guard or marine patrol care little about diver safety....revenue from tickets would be another story ....


Regards
DanV

 

[tomboyy]

You should look up your laws in the state you live in... that will give you the answer your looking for. While you and I may look at an SMB and say any idiot can tell theres a diver down there, there are alot "dumber" idiots out there and state laws will require certain flags.

 

[horsediver1]

Most states follow close to the same rules usually set. You must at the minimum have a 15 X 18 universal dive flag red with white diagnal stripe, in addition it must be 36 inches above the surface. A dive flag should be onboard and shown when divers are down, here it is required to be above the highest point of the boat and visual from 360 degrees

Hope this helps

 

[jgoodstein]

From driving boats myself... I find that a SMB 4" or greater is easier to see most days then a 12-20" flag about 6-12" above the water line, and even more so on days with less then perfect weather. Do they make a flag to attach to the SMB's I could probably do it my self

 

[captndale]

So in order to finalize my safety devices I got a 6' SMB today with the Diver below written in reflective print, as well as a 4-6" Dive flag at the top in the same reflective material.

Is this enough for a diver down marker, or do I need to pick up an actual flag and bouy? In all honesty its large, clear and more visible to me from a boat then a 12" dive flag... but I don't make the rules.

What say you scubaboard? What say you Coast Guard?

The Coast guard enforces federal and international laws and regulations, not state laws. Diver down flags are specified by state laws and these laws vary widely. You should look up the local and state laws that apply where you are diving and make sure that whatever you do meets their specific requirements.

 

[Superlyte27]

From driving boats myself... I find that a SMB 4" or greater is easier to see most days then a 12-20" flag about 6-12" above the water line, and even more so on days with less then perfect weather. Do they make a flag to attach to the SMB's I could probably do it my self

That won't keep you from being fined though.
As far as Florida is concerned. If you are diving or snorkeling you must have either a 12" x 12" diver down flag on a buoy or a 20" x 24" flag on a mast on the boat.